Family law team strengthened with the appointment of two courageous women

July 12, 2018

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A North East based legal firm has expanded its team of family law specialists with the appointment of two courageous women.

Amanda Adeola was born in Nigeria and spent her teenage years there before relocating to the UK determined to pursue a career in law, while Leanne Walker studied for her degree while being a mother and working full time.

Their appointments at BHP Law, in Darlington, represent an expansion in the team to meet demand for family law services.

Amanda has been qualified as a solicitor for nearly ten years and has joined the firm as an Associate.

She first had ambitions to be a lawyer after becoming aware of the corruption in her home country, where her father fought in the Nigerian civil war.

“Nigeria is a fantastic and vibrant country with so much passion and resources, however, I saw so many injustices growing up that I wanted to have a career which would allow me to make a difference,” explained Amanda, who also admits to being a fan of courtroom fiction.

“I like to think that, every day, when I deal with someone’s divorce or arrangements for children that I’m helping them during a difficult time and making a positive difference,” she added.

On arriving in England as a 15-year-old, she lived and later studied law in London before moving north in 2007 after her husband got a job in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
Amanda worked for firms in Darlington and Middlesbrough before joining BHP Law.
Leanne decided to pursue her ambition of a law career after working as a trading assistant for a groceries wholesaler.

“Law appealed to me because it seemed really interesting, but I’m still not sure how I managed to study for an Open University degree while working full time,” she said.
Leanne worked as a legal secretary and paralegal, which involved advising clients on mortgage and rent arrears as well as family law, the area in which she is now specialising as a trainee legal executive.

In addition to divorce, separation, financial matters and arrangements for children, the family law team at BHP Law also advise on pre-nuptial agreements, civil partnerships and co-habitation.

Initial 30-minute consultations in family law matters are offered free of charge to clients across the region.